Cricket analyst Sanjay Manjrekar recently offered a unique blend of criticism and praise for all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, while also reflecting on India’s loss and highlighting the performances of Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul.
Jadeja’s ‘Bits and Pieces’ Play Under Scrutiny
Manjrekar, known for his past “bits and pieces” remarks about Ravindra Jadeja, shared a nuanced view on the all-rounder’s recent batting. He noted that while Jadeja batted well and defended resolutely, he didn’t seem to take the necessary risks to push India towards a win.
“Ravindra Jadeja was batting well and defending resolutely, but it never looked like he was taking the kind of risks needed to help India win,” Manjrekar observed. Despite this, he acknowledged Jadeja’s improved defensive technique and ability to play long, patient innings, calling his 70 runs a marathon effort.
Bumrah’s Surprising Batting Heroics
While Jadeja anchored one end, Manjrekar was particularly impressed by Jasprit Bumrah’s resilience with the bat. Bumrah stayed at the crease for nearly two hours, facing high-quality fast bowling.
Manjrekar praised Bumrah’s mental toughness, suggesting that his net practice sessions with the bat truly paid off. Beyond batting, Bumrah also delivered a five-wicket haul on a challenging pitch and bowled a crucial yorker to wrap up England’s innings, further cementing his “greatness.”
Team Morale and Accumulation of Errors
Manjrekar sensed a defeatist atmosphere from the Indian dressing room during the match, especially when Jadeja reached his half-century. He felt the team’s energy suggested they knew victory was a long shot, despite Jadeja’s efforts.
Ultimately, Manjrekar concluded that India’s loss wasn’t due to major blunders, but rather an accumulation of small errors. He cited Rishabh Pant’s run-out as an example of a minor mistake that champion cricketers like Ben Stokes capitalize on.
KL Rahul: Mr. Consistent?
One of Manjrekar’s biggest satisfactions came from watching KL Rahul’s performance. He noted that Rahul has always had the talent but lacked consistency.
Manjrekar believes Rahul has finally earned the “Mr. Consistent” tag, having worked on his technique and overcome previous weaknesses. His achievement of scoring over 200 runs in an overseas series for the first time was a “massive takeaway” for India, according to the analyst.
- Ravindra Jadeja showed improved defensive batting but lacked aggressive risk-taking.
- Jasprit Bumrah impressed with both his resilient batting and exceptional bowling.
- India’s loss stemmed from accumulated small errors rather than major blunders.
- KL Rahul’s consistent performance has finally earned him the “Mr. Consistent” title.
Overall, Manjrekar’s analysis offered a comprehensive look at individual performances and the team’s collective effort in a challenging match.
